Liquid drain cleaner

ABSTRACT

A DRAIN-CLEANING COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE, WHEREIN THE COMPOSITION CONTAINS A CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON SOLVENT, AND A SPECIAL CLASS OF SURFACTANTS, THE COMPOSITION FORMING A WATER-IN-OIL EMULSION ON CONTACT WITH WATER.

United States Patent 3,553,145 LIQUID DRAIN CLEANER Charles John Butkeand Lawrence William Gates, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to The DrackettCompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. FiledOct. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 586,966 Int. Cl. C09d 9/04; Clld 7/56; C23g /02US. Cl. 252170 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drain-cleaningcomposition and method of use, wherein the composition contains achlorinated hydro carbon solvent, and a special class of surfactants,the composition forming a water-in-oil emulsion on contact With water.

This invention relates to a method of cleaning drain lines and traps.More particularly, it relates to a method and a composition which aresafer than those required by solid drain cleansers.

Our development is directed to a drain cleaning process which employs achlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a surfactant, an odor masking agent,and a coloring agent. We have discovered unexpectedly that the draincleaner composition forms a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion which cleansthe side walls of the drain pipe and then breaks up so that thehydrocarbon settles in the drain trap and cleans it.

The use of chlorinated hydrocarbons to clean greasy metal surfaces iswell known in the art as illustrated by US. Pat. No. 3,060,125 to Sims.However, such methods depend on the use of stabilized solvent and thecareful exclusion of water. On the other hand, the deliberate use ofwater in combination with a hydrocarbon is not unknown, but the emphasisis either on small amounts of water in 2 phase mixtures (no emulsion),see US. Pat. No. 3,085,918 to Sherliker et al., or on small amounts ofwater in water-in-oil emulsions, see US. Pat. No. 2,941,952 to Lewis etal. The prior art systems are intended to last, and not to break up.

It is an object of our invention to provide a safe and efficient liquiddrain cleaning process. It is a further object of our invention toprovide a cleansing composition to be used with this cleaning process.

These and other objects are accomplished by treating the contaminateddrain trap and side Walls of the drain pipe with a cleaning compositioncomprising a chlorinated organic solvent (usually a chlorinatedhydrocarbon), a surfactant, a deodorizing agent, and a coloring agent.The composition forms a chlorinated hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion uponcontact with water in the drain; this emulsification gives thecomposition its bactericidal activity in the drain trap throughout thewater phase. After about ten minutes the emulsion breaks up so that thechlorinated hydrocarbon settles into the drain trap and cleans it bydisplacing water and dissolving any contamination lodged there.

The chlorinated organic solvents which can be employed in this processinclude: carbon tetrachloride, 1,2 dichloroethane, 1,1,1trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene,orthodichorobenzene, 1,2 dichloro propane, 1,1,2 trichloroethane 1,1,2,2tetrachloroethane, pentachloroethane, and hexachloroethane. This listand any that follow are not meant to be exclusive or to limit the scopeof the invention but are merely representative examples.

The surfactant employed are of four general types and will produceemulsification within approximately identical weight-percentconcentration ranges, for example, when 1,1,1-trichloroethane is used.

Ethoxylated alkyl phenols (i.e. Igepal CO series) will produce thedesired emulsification of 1,1,1 trichloroethane within the range 1.0 to5.0 percent by weight. The ethoxylated alkyl phenols must contain 60 topercent ethylene oxide in order to be effective.

The complex aliphatic and aromatic phosphate esters (i.e. Alkapents)effectively emulsify 1,1,1 trichloroethane within a range of 0.05 to 5percent. The phosphate esters are by far the most effective emulsifiersfor most of our chlorinated solvents.

The ethoxylated fatty acids and fatty esters (i.e. Tween) emulsify 1,1,1trichloroethane at percentages of 1 to 5 percent. Again, the ethyleneoxide content must be 60 to 90 percent. In this category, themonostearates are more effective than the monolaurates.

The ethoxylated fatty alcohols (Siponics; Brijs) will emulsify 1,1,1trichloroethane in the 1 to 5 percent range. The ethylene oxide contentmust be in the 60 percent to 90 percent range with these materials,also. With this classification of surfactants, there is a variation inthe effectiveness of the emulsifier dependent upon the alcohol (lauryl,stearyl-cetyl, oleyl) from which the specific surfactant was prepared.

It is apparent that the surfactant must be neither too hydrophobic nortoo hydrophilic in order to emulsify the 1,1,1 trichloroethane properlyupon addition to water and yet allow the solvent to settle out afterapproximately 10 minutes. In this respect, the 60 to 90 percent ethyleneoxide content is fairly critical. The hydrophobic element of thesurfactant also tends to affect the effectiveness of each type ofsurfactant in addition to the ethylene oxide content and percentageemployed. During this work it has also been possible to generallyclassify the surfactants tested according to an HLB(Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance; described in a publication entitled TheAtlas HLB System published by Atlas Chemical Ind., Inc., ChemicalsDivision, Wilmington, Del.) level. The effective I-ILB range seems tofall between 12 to 16 as determined by the Atlas system.

Blends of surfactants for emulsification of 1,1,1 trichloroethane, mustalso be considered since, in general, blends tend to work better withregards to emulsification than single surfactant systems. In thisrespect, the four classifications mentioned previously could possibly beinterchanged within or among themselves.

Commercially available odor masking and coloring agents are alsoemployed. Neutroleum Beta or Gamma in a range of from about 0.01 to 2.0weight percent covers the odor of 1,1,1-trichloroethane; bothdeodorizers are stable in 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Nitro Fast Orange 86 in a range of from about 0.00001 to 1.0 weightpercent is effective in coloring the cleaning mixture and is stable init.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention the cleaning mixturecomprises from about 95.0 to 99.7 weight percent of1,1,1-trichloroethane, from about 0.001 to 5.0 weight percent of[Alkapent 6TD] an ethoxylated branched alkyl phosphate ester from about0.01 to 2.0 weight percent of Neutroleum Gamma, and from about 0.00001to 1.0 weight percent of Nitro Fast Orange SG. The alkyl group in theAlkapent 6TD surfactant is a C13H q alcohol.

1,1,1-trichloroethane is preferred because it is a very good solvent foranimal fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, cooking oils, and greasetheusual material stopping the flow in household drains. It was alsoselected because it is relatively non-toxic, non-corrosive,non-flammable, and the vapors are not harmful.

3 Ethoxylated branched alkyl phosphate ester is preferred because of itssuperior stability in 1,1,1-trichloroethane and its effectiveness as anemulsifier. It also appears to stabilize the 1,1,1-trich10roethane andprevent its hydrol- 4 this invention, there Were both goodemulsification and good settling (i.e., within 10-15 minutes). All ofthe compositions below employed 1,1,1-trichloroethane as the chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvent.

EXAMPLE I.ETHOXYLATED ALEYL PHENOL SURFAOTANT ([GEPAL CO SERIES,

NTA RA CHEMICAL) Average percent of ethylene Approximate Relativepercent of Extcnt ofoxide in HLB level of Surfactant surfactantsurfactant (i1) Surfactant Solvent Emulslfier Settling Igepal CO 530 5010.0 2. 5 Do 1 50 10. 5.0 Igepal CO 630 63 12. 0 2. D0 1 63 12. 0 5. 0Igepal CO 710 70 14.0 2. 5

De 70 14. 0 5. 0 Igepal C0 780, 850, 880 70-80 14-15 1-2 d Good. IgepalCO 970, 990 1 90 16-18 2-5 98-95 Very s1ight Too fast.

1 N onylphenoxypoly (ethy1eneoxy)ethanol.

EXAMPLE II.COMPLEX AROMATIC AND ALIPHATIO PHOSPHATE ESTERS (ALKAPENTS,WAYLAND CHEMICAL 00.)

Average percent of ethylene Approximate Relative percent of- Extent ofoxide in HLB level of Surfactant surfactant surfactant (i1) SurfactantSolvent Emulsifier Settling Alkapent GTD 1 59 12.0 0.05 99 95 Good Toofast 59 12. 0 5.0 (1 one 59 12. 0 0.10-0.15 Good Antara LE 600, LE 70060 12. 0 0.05 99. 95 do T00 fast.

70 14.0 5.0 95.0 -do. None. 70 14.0 O.100.5 99.90-99.95 do Good.

1 Complex organic (aliphatic) phosphate ester in free acid form.

EXAMPLE III.--ETHOXYLATED FATTY ACIDS AND FATTY ESTERS (TWEEN, ATLASCHEMICAL CO.)

Average percent of ethylene Approximate Relative percent of- Extentofoxide in HLB level of Surfactant surfactant surfactant (i=1)Surfactant Solvent Emulsifier Settling Fatty Acids:

Tween 2O 84 16. 7 2. 5 Tween 84 16. 7 5. 0 Tween 60- 75 14. 9 2. 5 Tween60 75 14. 9 5.0 Myrj -55 11 2. 5 Fatty esters:

Atlas G-1471 80 16 2.5 o 80 16 5.0 Atlas G-1799. 12 2.5 o. 60 12 5.0

1 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate. 2 lolyoxyethylene sorbitanmonostearatc.

EXAMPLE IV.ETHOXYLATED FATTY ALCOHOLS (BRIJS, ATLAS CHEMI CAL CO.)

Average percent of ethylene Approximate Relative percent of- Extentofoxide in HLB level of surfactant surfactant (i1) Surfactant SolventEmulsifier Settling Surfactant:

Brij 52 25 5. 3 1. 5 98.5 None Brij 52 25 5. 3 5. 0 99. 0 d0 Brij 76 260 12- 4 5.0 95. 0 Good Good.

1 Polyoxycthylene(2)cetyl ether. 2 Polyoxyethylcne (10) stearyl other.

ysis by water to form hydrochloric acid and other corrosrves.

Neutroleum Gamma and Beta are deodorizers which we found to havestability in the cleansing mixture. Similarly, Nitro Fast Orange SG is acoloring agent found to be stable in the cleaning mixture.

The following examples illustrate the present invention. In each case ameasured volume of cleaning composition was added to twice its volume oftap water (approximately 150 p.p.m. hardness as calcium carbonate) at 75F. The extent of emulsification and settling (emul= sion bre k) was nted. In. the preferr d mbodimen s of In the above examples it should benoted that the HLB system has a deviation of :1 HLB unit and theethylene oxide content is an average figure computed from averagemolecular weights. Therefore, there is the possibility that some typesof surfactants or specialty wetting agents could perform satisfactorilyin the chlorinated hydrocarbons of the invention and still be outsidethe HLB limits of 12-16 and ethylene oxide content limits of 60-90percent. In view of this, the above examples are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

While there has been disclosed that which at present is considered to bethe preferred embodiment of the in vention, it will be understood thatchanges, modifications, and substitutions may be made therein withoutdeparting from the true scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid draining cleaning composition consisting essentially of atleast 95% by weight of a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent selected fromthe group consisting of carbon tetrachloride 1,2-dichloroethane,1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene,orthodichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane.1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, pentaehloroethane, and hexachloroethane andfrom about 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of a surfactant having an averageethylene oxide content of from 60 to 90% by weight said surfactant beinga member selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alkyl phenolswherein the alkyl group contains from 1-10 carbon atoms; aliphatic andaromatic ethoxylated phosphate esters; ethoxylated fatty acids and fattyesters; and ethoxylated fatty alcohols.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is 1,1,1trichloroethane.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is an ethoxylatedalkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group contains from 1-10 carbon atoms.

4. A liquid draining cleaning composition consisting essentially of fromabout 95 to 99.8% by weight of a chlorinated hydrocarbon solventselected from the group consisting of carbon tetrachloride1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene,tetrachloroethylene, orthodichlorobenzene, 1,2 dichloropropane 1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2 tetrachloroethane, pentachloroethane, andhexachloroethane, from about 0.001 to 5.0% by Weight of a surfactanthaving an average ethylene oxide content of from 60 to 90% by weight,said surfactant being a member selected from the group consisting ofethoxylated alkyl phenols wherein the alkyl group contains from 1-10carbon atoms, aliphatic and aromatic ethoxylated phosphate esters;ethoxylated fatty acids and fatty esters; and ethoxylated fattyalcohols.

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the solvent is 1,1,1trichloroethane.

6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the surfactant is an ethoxylatedalkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group contains from 1-10 carbon atoms.

7. A double-action process for cleaning drains comprising treating thecontaminated drain trap and pipe surfaces with a composition consistingessentially of at least 95 by weight of a chlorinated hydrocarbonsolvent selected from the group consisting of carbon tetrachloride, 1,2dichloroethane, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, trichloroethylene,tetrachloroethylene, orthodichlorobenzene, 1,2- dichloropropane, 1,1,2trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2 tetrachloroethane, pentachloroethane, andhexachloroethane and from about 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of a surfactanthaving an average ethylene oxide content of from to by weight, saidsurfactant being a member selected from the group consisting ofethoxylated alkyl phenols wherein the alkyl group contains from l-10carbon atoms, aliphatic and aromatic ethoxylated phosphate esters;ethoxylated fatty acids and fatty esters; and ethoxylated fattyalcohols, which composition forms an emulsion upon contact with Water inthe drain, said emulsion cleaning the exposed drain walls, and whichemulsion then breaks up so that the cleaning composition settles in thedrain trap to clean it.

8. A double-action process for cleaning drains comprising forming acomposition consisting essentially of at least by weight of achlorinated hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting ofcarbon tetrachloride, 1,2 dichloroethane, 1,1,1 trichloroethane,trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, orthodichlorobenzene,1,2-dichloropropane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2- tetrachloroethane,pentachloroethane, and hexachloroethane and from about 0.001 to 5.0% byweight of a surfactant having an average ethylene oxide content of from60 to 90% by weight said surfactant being a member selected from thegroup consisting of ethoxylated alkyl phenols wherein the alkyl groupcontains from 1-10 carbon atoms aliphatic and aromatic ethoxylatedphosphate esters; ethoxylated fatty acids and fatty esters; andethoxylated fatty alcohols, adding said composition to the water locatedin the drain thereby causing said composition to emulsify and clean theexposed drain walls, and allowing said composition to remain in thedrain for not less than 15 minutes in order for the emulsion to breakand to clean the drain trap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,585 8/1931 Zuckermandel260-652.5 2,356,254 8/1944 Lehmann Jr. et a1. 13440 2,509,197 5/1950Borus et al. 252-470 2,748,084 5/1956 DeLeW et al. 13440 3,167,5141/1965 Baker 252 3,360,472 12/1967 Renold 252170 LEON D. ROSDOL, PrimaryExaminer W. E. SCHULZ, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

